Having stayed at Big Ruby's twice before, my partner and I were looking forward to our vacation in Key West. While the overall atmosphere continues to change and attract more straight couples, it seem the quality of service at Big Ruby's has been heading in the same direction.

Last time we stayed there, Brad and David (he only works on weekends now for breakfast) went out of their way to make sure the guest were attended to appropriately. The staff there now just cannot measure up and it is no longer the same. Above all, the owner needs to really realize that the guest come first and stop acting as if everyone is suppose to be impressed simply cause he is the owner. On more than one occasion, he would walk right by us not even saying hello; Very rude and inappropriate.

In addition, the breakfast is not what it use to be. Seems there has been a change in the chef and although good, the breakfast is no longer spectacular.

After recently staying at Pineapple Point in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the staff, including the owner of Big Ruby's, should take a trip to Pineapple Point to experience the benchmark of vacation resorts in FL.

Sorry to say, but the level of service is no longer on par with the price of the rooms. Big Ruby's once was a great resort in Key West, but seems there are now better choices.

After reading the last two glowing reviews (from people who stayed just a couple of nights), I felt the need to write a more detailed and thorough review. I had a decent time during my brief July stay at the property, but the longer you stay, well...read on.

Pros: (1) Great location right off Duval. The best location of any upscale guesthouse (2) generally good service from some of the staff, although others are ridiculously inept (3) nice public areas in the compound and a nice social happy hour, (4) nice catered holiday party. Now the Cons: (1) Extremely overpriced for the holiday season. We paid nearly $500 a night for a 180 sq ft room with 10 year old carpet, a noisy, leaky wall a/c unit, and a marginal bathroom, (2) with the pricing comes the holiday 7-day minimum requirement, much too long to be there. We did hear, however, that this requirement was waived for some people...hmmm...(3) nice happy hour marred by cheap wine and nuts and popcorn for snacks. Others had told us the happy hour snack were more upscaled during the elevated-rate holidays - not true (4) employees invite their friends over to enjoy the facilities - not only were they there during the guest holiday party, but they stayed over, took up the tables and the pool - the place is small, and consumed food that we provided - since the hotel did not provide any decent snacks (6) the faux-friendlies. This is not the guest house's fault, but nearly everyone we met (including the totally fake couple from NC) promised to write or call and stay in touch, but none did. Ah well. I think it's the "southern hospitality factor". Key West is great, but I suggest going to a straight hotel or nice guest house away from the touristy (port) end of the island. I wrote a review of Marquesa which is a very nice facility, but lacks the service much of its reputation is based upon. I'll try the Gardens next, but taking a break from KW for a while. it has changed so much. Restaurants: great for lunch: Mangos Great for dinner: Marquesa. Simply the best restaurant on the island (but, again, see my review of the hotel) and Michaels. The worst place and most overpriced: Pisces - the worst service ever, marginal and pricey food, waited 30 minutes past our reservation for our table. Waiter spilled wine on the table doing an acrobatic pour. I concur with the other reviewer on Hot Tin Roof (he/she had the name wrong in theri review) - it was barely passable. Somewhere in between: Latitudes on Sunset Island, Blue Heaven, and a few others. Make sure to see the Broadway tributes at La te Da...they are just great. The one "woman" show is not as great.

3 Couples and one girl went to Ruby's for Spring Break!

Pros
- Location: Right off Duval, near Walgreens so if you forgot anything you can walk and get it. It's in the heart of it all!
- Food / Drink: Breakfast was SO good. We ate poolside and ordered off of a menu. I prefer to be served than do a buffet style. Cocktail/Beer/Wine served nightly.
- Pool: Warm! I can't wait for them to install the hot tub. When I was there they were making plans, not sure
- Sun Porch: Clothing Optional (actually the whole place is clothing optional) but I was the only one and I was on the sun deck.
- Rooms: Wow! Nice rooms! We stayed in a huge bedroom with two kings and a really nice bathroom.
- Staff: Friendly and very helpful!

Cons
If the staff recommends Red Tin Roof Restaurant don't go! It's in the Hilton and you get hotel prices and bad food. We loved Mango's and some other local places.

Stayed there this summer with my girlfriend, and we loved it. I searched for weeks for the perfect place and certainly found a home at Big Ruby's. The staff was so warm and attentive. Enjoyed the nightly happy hour with free wine and beer. The breakfast was a treat each morning. The room was cleaned top to bottom everyday. The pool, is so charming and romantic. The crowd around the place was mostly men, all as nice as could be. You can not beat the location, right off Duval. Many thanks to all the friendly guys at BR's. The price was very reasonable for what you get.